Detachment 88
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Detachment 88 | |
|---|---|
| Detachment 88 unit.jpg Detachment 88 operators during independence day parade. |
|
| Active | 2005 - Present |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Branch | Republic of Indonesian Police (POLRI) |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role | Domestic Counter-Terrorism and Law Enforcement |
| Size | 400 Policemen |
| Part of | Under control of Brigade Mobil SOF |
| Garrison/HQ | Indonesian Police Headquarters, Jakarta |
| Nickname | Delta 88, Special Detachment 88 [1] |
| Engagements | Attempted apprehension of Azahari Husin, 2007 Poso Raid, arrest of Abu Dujana |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel of the Regiment |
Brig. Gen. Pranowo |
Special Detachment 88 (Detasemen Khusus 88), or Delta 88, is the Indonesian counter-terrorism squad, and part of the Indonesian National Police. Formed after the 2002 Bali bombing, it is funded, equipped, and trained by the United States.[citation needed]
The unit has worked with considerable success against the jihadi terrorist cells linked to Central Java-based Islamist movement Jemaah Islamiah.[2]
Contents |
[edit] History
Detachment 88 was formed after the 2002 Bali bombing[2] and became operational in 2005.[citation needed] Detachment 88 has disrupted the activities of Central Java-based Islamist movement Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and many of its top operatives have been arrested or killed.[2] Abu Dujana, suspected leader of JI's military wing and its possible emir, was apprehended on June 9, 2007.[3] Azahari Husin was shot and killed in 2005. Detachment 88 is assisted by foreign agencies, including the Australian Federal Police, in forensic sciences including DNA analysis, and communications monitoring. In pre-emptive strikes in Java, the unit thwarted attack plans to material assembly.[2]
Detachment 88 operators were involved in an operation in Poso, where 10 people, including a policemen, were killed in a gunfight during a high-risk suspect arrest operation on January 22, 2007. [4]
In 2007, Detachment 88 arrested and interrogated West Papuan human rights lawyer, Iwangin Sabar Olif, and charged him with incitement and insulting the head of state, because he sent an SMS text message critical of the Indonesian military and president.[citation needed] Detachment 88's operations include using US intelligence officers in its Jakarta headquarters to tap the phone calls and read the SMS text messages of Indonesian civilians.[5]
According to Brig. Gen. Pranowo, the Indonesian Police Headquarter Anti-Terror Director, the number '88' is taken from the number of Australian fatalities in the 2002 Bali bombing, the largest number from a single country.[6]
[edit] Training
This special unit is being funded by the US government through its State Department's Diplomatic Security Service. The unit is currently being trained in Megamendung, 50 km south of Jakarta, by CIA, FBI, and US Secret Service. Most of these instructors were ex-US special forces personnel. [6]
Detachment 88 is designed to become an anti-terrorist unit that is capable to counter various terrorist threats, from bomb threats to hostage situations. This 400-personnel strong special force is expected to be fully operative in 2005. They consist of investigators, explosive experts, and an attack unit that includes snipers.
[edit] Weaponry/Equipment
Detachment 88 is equipped with US weaponry and assault vehicles, such as Colt M-4 assault rifles, Armalite AR-10 sniper rifles, and Remington 870 shotguns. It is reported, although has not been confirmed yet, that this unit will have its own C-130 Hercules military transport airplane to increase its mobility. All the equipments, including their training materials, reportedly are exactly the same as those of US anti-terrorist units.
[edit] References
- ^ Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research's Indonesia Page. Retrieved on January 29, 2007.
- ^ a b c d McDonald, Hamish. "Fighting terror with smart weaponry", Sydney Morning Herald, 31 June 2008, pp. p. 17..
- ^ Southeast Asian Terrorist Leader Is Under Arrest. Retrieved on June 14, 2007.
- ^ Gunbattle with suspected militants in central Indonesia kills 10. Retrieved on January 29, 2007.
- ^ Nairn, Allan. "Detachment 88, Kopassus Get Covert US Aid." Counterpunch, December 12, 2007.
- ^ a b Pasukan Khusus Polri Dilatih CIA. Retrieved on January 29, 2007.; Indonesia opens anti-terror school. Retrieved on January 29, 2007.
